Nya:wëh Sgë:nö’,
Pictured above: Six Seneca Nation President’s attended the August Council Meeting; L-R; Councillor Rickey Armstrong Sr., Councillor Maurice “Moe” John Sr., President JC Seneca, Dwayne “Jim” Ray, Robert Odawi Porter.
I hope this message finds you well. Summer has certainly been flying by! This time of year always brings the Erie County Fair, a favorite tradition for many. Seneca Nation employees recently enjoyed a day at the Fair for our Employee Appreciation Day. I hope everyone who attended had a great time taking in the rides, playing the games, and- of course enjoying all the delicious food!
Also on Friday, NY Governor Hochul stopped in for brief visit to the Nya:wëh Village. Councillors Tina Abrams, Maurice John Sr, First Lady Nicole Seneca and several of the Nya:wëh Village leadership greeted her. This is the first time any NYS Governor has visited the village.
Employee Appreciation Day s just one small way we can say “Nya:wëh” to all our Nation employees for everything you do to serve our community. Meeting the needs of our people and caring for our territories is a great responsibility, and we simply couldn’t do it without you.
I especially want to thank my team in the President’s Office. They come to work each day committed to making a difference for our people. They work hand-in-hand with all departments and stay on top of the many issues that need to be addressed in our community. It’s not always easy, but they do an amazing job. Having a support network that I can count on makes all the difference in my ability to manage the responsibilities as President. I am so fortunate to have such a dedicated team.
Speaking of teamwork, while the Nation recently made news with our acquisition of the Rochester Knighthawks, there is some other exciting action taking place in the world of lacrosse. The Haudenosaunee Nationals U20 team is taking on the world this month in the World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship in South Korea. Let’s all send our good thoughts and well wishes to the team as they celebrate the Creator’s Game on the international stage and work to bring home the gold!
The Compact Negotiating Team has recently returned from Albany, where we met with the Governor’s team regarding our gaming Compact. I’m determined to move this important issue forward, and I have outlined a 60-day plan to address the outstanding matters and to reach an agreement that prioritizes the needs of the Seneca Nation and our people. I’m confident that our team can make this happen. We will continue to keep the state engaged and to keep moving forward. Our gaming Compact is critically important for our Nation, for New York State, and for the local economy. It’s time to get this done, and we will keep the community updated as we make progress.
With all the work we have been doing here at home, in Albany, and in Washington, it’s hard to believe that I am already nine months into my term as President. These past months have been filled with progress on many fronts. There is still a lot to accomplish, but I’m confident that together, we can achieve the goals I have set for my administration. I cannot thank you enough for your continued support and trust.
Our college students will soon be heading back to campus for a new semester. I encourage you to study hard, embrace new experiences, and enjoy all the opportunities that come your way. I wish you a school year filled with learning, growth, and success. As we work our way through these last few weeks of summer, I hope everyone enjoys the sunshine, the family gatherings, and all the moments that make this season special. Take time to rest, recharge, and make memories with the people you love. Before we know it, autumn will be here with new opportunities and challenges – but for now, let’s soak in all the good that summer still has to offer.
Until next time,
JC
